Chapter Two

The cafe is empty when Jisung enters. A few cats are roaming about, but that's about it. Minho is standing by the cash register, finishing up the remaining tasks before he's done for the day. The sun is setting, leaving the cat cafe to be rather dark, only a few lights turned on inside.

Minho looks up when he hears the door open, giving Jisung a small smile. "You can sit over there." He jerks his head towards the table where Jisung always sits when he's waiting for his order. "I'll be over in a moment."

Jisung nods, walking over to the table. There's already a few books splattered about. It's a large table, and the couch behind it is in the shape of a halfmoon, going around it, all connected. Jisung jumps in towards the middle, placing his black duffle bag on the left end.

Dori comes running towards him, trotting under the table before leaping up beside Jisung to his right. The brown tabby receives a few pets before Jisung decides to get the things he's brought with him to study.

He manages to set up his Macbook and notebooks before Minho emerges from behind the counter.

"Missed me?" Minho inquires, getting seated beside Dori, leaving around 10 inches between the pair.

Only then does Jisung notice the round glasses resting on Minho's nose. Holy fuck. Most people look like nerds with glasses on (including Jisung), but Minho looks like the hot, young teacher that everyone had a crush on in high school.

They're semi-rimless, meaning that there's only a black frame on the upper half of the glasses, leaving the bottom thin. Jisung really thought there wasn't anything that could make Minho look any more attractive, but he was wrong. So, so wrong. And the pooling warmth in his abdomen agrees.

Without being able to think, Jisung retorts, "Of course, baby." And winks at the elder, making his breath hitch. The nickname came automatically, honestly. But it clearly seemed to be taking a toll on Jisung's tutor.

The elder scrambles through the books that laid on the table before Jisung had arrived, trying to ignore the nickname. He gets a notebook and turns to a fresh page. "Are we working with physical books or digital material?" Minho asks, glancing at Jisung.

"Digital," Jisung answers as he hurries to press a few buttons on his laptop, opening a webpage with a load of maths questions.

"So, what do you need help with first?"

Jisung swallows when he notices that Minho has leaned into his space. "Calculus."

Minho's eyebrows shoot up with surprise. "Really?" He asks. "I found that to be the easiest."

The retort makes Jisung guffaw. "Are you trying to make me feel dumb?"

"No." Minho smiles sweetly at him. "But it wouldn't be much of a challenge if I really wanted to, now would it?"

Jisung allows his eyes to rest at Minho's plump lips as he speaks. He knows that the elder sees him gawking at his mouth. "We'll see," the raven-haired replies with a grin.

As predicted, Minho's ears redden and he quickly changes the subject. "Do you want me to give you a little introduction to calculus and go through it? Or do we jump straight to the questions?"

"I don't remember too much from class, so maybe a little introduction?"

Minho hums. "Let's start with the basics then. Do you remember how to find the derivative of a function?"

The younger shakes his head. "Um, not really. I remember something about limits and slopes, but I'm not sure how to apply it."

"That's alright. The derivative measures the rate of change of a function at any given point. It's like finding the slope of the tangent line at that point." Minho looks at Jisung, waiting for a nod or a question to know if he doesn't understand or needs to repeat.

Without an interruption, Minho continues. "So, let's say we have the function..." Minho turns to his notebook, pushing it closer towards Jisung as he gets a pen and begins to write. "f(x) = 2x^3 - 5x^2 + 3x."

"Okay," Jisung mumbles, following Minho's hand as he writes on the square paper. He really tries not to think about how cute the elder's hands are, all bundled up around the thin pencil. "So how do we find the derivative of that function?" The younger continues to inquire.

"We use the power rule here. We multiply each term by its power and then subtract one from the exponent." Minho glances at Jisung again, making sure he's following along. "For example, the derivative of..." he begins, turning to the notebook, writing. "2x^3 is 6x^2, and the derivative of -5x^2 is -10x. So, when we put it all together, the derivative of f(x) is 6x^2 - 10x + 3."

Jisung nods. "Got it. So it's 6x^2 - 10x + 3."

"Not quite." Minho shakes his head. "The derivative of a constant term, like 3x, is zero since it doesn't have an x term. So the last term should be just 0, not 3."

"Oh, right. So it's 6x^2 - 10x." Jisung tries again, looking at Minho for confirmation.

"Exactly." Minho gives Jisung a smile. "It's important to pay attention to those details. Now, let's try another example to reinforce the concept. How about we differentiate g(x) = ln(x) + 3x^2?"

"Okay." Jisung bites his lip. He really wants to impress Minho. "The derivative of ln(x) is x/1, right?"

Minho shakes his head. "Close, but not quite. The derivative of ln(x) is actually 1/x. So you're on the right track. And what about the derivative of 3x^2?

Jisung feels how the little confidence he has in maths is vanishing. "I think it's 12?"

"That's not quite right." Minho glances at the younger, noticing the sudden motion in his bouncing leg. Peacefully, Minho slips his free hand over to Jisung's knee, drawing comforting circles along his kneecap with his thumb. It seems to calm him down, which allows Minho to continue. "The derivative of 3x^2 is 6x. Remember, we multiply the term by its power and then subtract one from the exponent. So, the correct derivative of g(x) is 1/x + 6x."

"Oh." Jisung swipes his tongue over his (now faintly swollen) lower lip while continuing to stare at the numbers running across Minho's paper. "I see where I went wrong, thanks."

"Let's do a few more together and then I'll let you work on your own. In the meantime, I'll be working on a few things on my own computer." Minho gestured towards his laptop sitting at the other end of the table. "Don't be afraid to ask for help."

Jisung is surprised at how at ease he feels around Minho. He has a bit too much pride at times, but he allows himself to lower his guard and show his rather dense aspect of himself. It might just be the comforting hand running along his knee talking, or maybe it's Minho's whole demeanour. No idea. Whatever it is, Jisung loves it.

They did about 7 more questions together until Jisung seemed to grasp the basics (the last 3 were just Minho making sure Jisung actually understood).

***

It's been quiet for a while. The last time Jisung asked for help was around 30 minutes ago. The clock is nearing 6:45 pm and so is the end of their session, but Jisung doesn't want it to end quite yet.

"Knock knock," Jisung says, chuckling when he hears Minho sigh.

"You really love your knock knock jokes, huh?" Minho turns to him.

"Duh. Who doesn't?" Jisung huffs and rolls his eyes.

The response elicits a laugh from the elder. "Who's there?"

"Wendy."

Minho raises an eyebrow. "Wendy who?"

"Wendy you want to go on a date with me?"

Minho restraints a smile and sighs again. "You really have to focus on your maths, Ji. Midterms are right around the corner."

Jisung ignores the way the sudden nickname makes his heart do a backflip. He knows Minho's right, but where's the fun in that? "So is this a date?" Jisung decides to ask instead, using a hand to motion between the two of them.

"Huh?" The question manages to evoke a blush to Minho's ears.

The younger shrugs. "I mean, we're alone, hanging out and both interested. Sounds pretty much like a date to me."

"We're not alone though?" Minho raises an eyebrow, looking down at Dori who was laying between them, peacefully awakening from his long nap.

"A cat doesn't count!" Jisung defends.

"Why not? They're living creatures too." Minho coos at Dori, letting his hand leave Jisung's knee and instead begin petting the furry tabby.

Jisung tries not to whine at the loss of warmth. "Then we basically have a whole audience!"

"And?" Minho looks up at Jisung through his glasses as they delicately slide down his nose bridge.

The view is breathtaking. Along with how the lights illuminate only half of Minho's face, as it's gone dark outside. Jisung swallows. "I didn't know you were such a pervert, hyung."

The comment clearly has an effect on Minho, as his whole face reddens. "I did not mean it like that!" He's quick to land a slap on Jisung's arm which alerts Dori to run off.

Jisung laughs, enjoying making his tutor blush. "What did you mean then, hyung?" The younger raises an eyebrow at him challengingly.

Minho stares at Jisung for a moment, face still flushed. He sighs, turning to look ahead, avoiding Jisung's heavy gaze. "How about this, if you get above a 90 on your maths exam, we can go on a date."

Jisung's eyes blow up. "90?! Do you realise that's at least a 650% improvement?!"

After seemingly having calmed down, Minho glances at Jisung, batting his eyelashes prettily above his glasses. "Am I not worth it, Jagiya?"

It's the fifth time Jisung has to swallow to avoid his growing arousal. He looks down at Minho's lips as he speaks, then back up at his eyes. He doesn't miss the shit-eating grin that grows from the gesture, plastered across the elder's face. God, Jisung just wants to kiss him stupid.

Fuck it. Jisung decides to join in on the cheesy play. "Of course you are, baby." He says with a wink.

Minho feels his ears heating up, but he doesn't allow his mind to fall for it. He moves closer to Jisung, allowing their thighs to touch as he leans towards the shell of Jisung's ear. "Then you should get to work now, shouldn't you, hm?" He whispers, watching as Jisung's cheeks begin to take on a pink hue.

But Jisung still doesn't allow it to end there. He turns to stare at Minho, only leaving a few inches between them. Jisung gently grasps Minho's chin between his fingers, thumb playing at the elder's lower lip. The sudden movement catches Minho's heart in its rhythm, and a trail of goosebumps rises along his supple skin. "Yeah." He nods. "I wouldn't want to disappoint my hyung." Jisung absentmindedly licks his lips, unaware of the way Minho's eyes follow his tongue.

The sexual tension is strong. Just one wrong step and the offer would be fucked into tomorrow.

But the realisation kicks in for the both of them, and Minho swiftly moves away when he feels himself leaning in.

They don't say anything for the next 20 minutes, unsure if they should acknowledge what'd just happened or not.

Did Jisung want something to happen? Well, yeah. But did Minho? He moved away first, so that's self-explanatory. Either way, Jisung had at least, undoubtedly, some kind of effect on Minho.

The clock begins to near 7:15 pm and Jisung hasn't seen a single customer since he arrived. The cafe usually had at least 8 people constantly spread about.

"Where's the customers?" Jisung asks, finally breaking the silence.

"What do you mean?" Minho looks at him, confused.

"Aren't you guys open till 6?"

Minho raises an eyebrow at the claim. "We've already closed, Sung."

"Huh?" Is all Jisung manages to say, staring at the elder blankly.

"We close at 5 pm on Sundays," His tutor adds.

"Oh." Jisung looks down at his laptop and then back up to Minho. "But aren't you supposed to close the shop by then too?"

Minho nods. "Sure, but Seungminnie said I could stay at max two hours after closing time."

"Seungminnie?" Jisung repeats, unfamiliar to the name.

"Remember my manager from yesterday?"

It finally clicks in Jisung's head. Right. The puppy-like looking boy that had interrupted their little chat was his manager. Jisung hums, allowing Minho to continue speaking.

"He's our manager," he says, but rolls his eyes. "90% of the time I'm the one bossing him around, but he just acts tough because he has a better pay."

The complaint elicits a chuckle from Jisung. "Well, it's nice of him to let you stay."

Minho agrees with another hum. "Speaking of staying, do you think we could finish before 8 pm? I think it's best if I close up soon."

"Shit." Jisung looks at the time. "Fuck. I'm so sorry." He lands his head in a bow and begins to rapidly pack his things.

The sudden hurry makes Minho laugh. "Calm down, Jisungie, it's fine."

But by now, Jisung has already packed his things. "I'm really sorry, I didn't mean to be a burden."

Jisung's claim seems to irritate Minho and he swiftly grabs Jisung's wrist, making the younger look back at him. "You're not a burden, Jisung." Minho says slowly, making sure Jisung understands each and every word. "If I really didn't want you here, I would've kicked you out hours ago. But I doubt that'll ever happen."

The reassurance makes his heart race. Jisung mumbles a quick thank you, trying to quiet down his thoughts.

"Do you have to be somewhere?" Minho asks, letting go of Jisung's wrist while he begins to gather his own things.

"No, not really. But Chan - my roommate prefers it when I get home before 1 am."

"Oh?" Minho glances at Jisung. "Isn't Changbin your roommate?"

"Yeah, we 3 live in the same apartment. How'd you know?"

"3 roommates..." Minho hums, getting out from between the sofa and table. "Changbin told me once."

Jisung processes the new information while standing up, throwing his bag around his neck. "Do you have any roommates?"

Minho nods. "Do you remember my colleague? He's tall and has pink hair. Hard to miss."

"Hyunjin?" Jisung asks.

The elder raises an eyebrow. "Yeah, how'd you know his name?"

"Changbin told me," Jisung chuckles.

"Wait for me outside?" Minho inquires, ready to turn around, probably heading towards the back rooms to change. He'd been in his work clothes since they began their tutoring session, after all. "The backdoor is right around the corner to your left."

Jisung nods. "Alright."

They separate and Jisung heads outside. He waits for about 15 minutes before Minho exits the now pitch-black cafe through the backdoor, just as he'd said.

"God," Minho huffs, turning around and locking the door. He's dressed in an oversized blue hoodie and a pair of black, baggy jeans. The hoodie makes him look even smaller and Jisung internally coos at the sight. "Dori always has to have his little temper tantrum whenever he has to get in his room. Sorry it took a while."

"They get in rooms at night?" Jisung asks, surprised.

"Yeah, well it's like a bedroom for cats. They can't be out and roaming around the coffee beans, Jagi."

Jisung chuckles. "'Thought they got into kennels or something."

Minho shakes his head. "They're supposed to live like kings here after all."

"Really?" Jisung looks at Minho once he turns around, stuffing the keys in his shoulder bag.

"Yeah, it's an adoption centre, not jail." Minho watches Jisung with a grin while the latter rolls his eyes at the obvious statement.

"Do you want a lift? I can drive you home." Jisung tilts his head over at the black Audi parked a few metres away.

"Is this my payment for tutoring you?" Minho laughs, walking alongside Jisung towards the car.

"Right! How do you want me to pay you?? I'll send you money right now." Jisung hurries to get his phone from his pocket, but Minho bumps their shoulders together.

"Consider this a teaser to an eventual date." Minho winks at Jisung, both of his eyes closing in the process, but it's cute.

Jisung grins. "How many teasers will you be releasing before the movie comes out then?"

"Oh, I don't know." Minho fakes a pondering expression. "Once every Saturday at 5 pm up until midterms?"

"Sounds perfect," Jisung smiles, picking up the car keys and unlocking the vehicle.

If he could describe the car ride with Minho in one word, Jisung would definitely use 'comfortable'. Conversations with Minho are just so easy, as if they're meant to be. Jisung would probably call them soulmates, but that's just because he's a hopeless romantic (if you haven't already figured that out from his sappy knock knock jokes). The radio tuned in the background, playing soft sentimental songs.

A few minutes of pleasant silence drifts between the pair, both of them humming to the low music.

"What got you into dancing?" Jisung asks Minho, keeping his eyes on the road.

"I've always liked dancing, ever since I was young." Minho's voice has a certain tenderness and delicacy to it that always hits Jisung's ear just right. And his laugh is befittingly angelic. "It's a safe space for me. Stressed? Dance. Mad? Dance. Sad? Dance. It helps me calm down."

"Guess it's the answer to all of your problems, huh?" Jisung says, flicking his eyes over at the elder. Minho's leaning at the window, his arm propped up by the frame.

"Not always, but it helps me find the answers most of the time." With a soft yawn, the grey-haired boy closes his eyes. How can he be so arousing and cute at the same time? Lee Minho: The world's biggest mystery. "Majoring in dance was just obvious for me, I guess. How about you?" Minho glances at the driver who turned back to watch the road. "What's your major?"

"Computer science and music."

"Why?"

"Computer science for my parents and music for me. They didn't mind it, as long as I had a 'real' major." Merely thinking about it almost makes Jisung annoyed. They'd insisted that he couldn't only major in music because it wouldn't 'get him anywhere in life'.

Minho hums, thinking for a moment. "Do you like computer science?"

"I guess?" Jisung exhales. "I don't really mind it. It's the only other major I'd somewhat like to study."

"Yeah," Minho murmurs. "My parents were like that too."

Another wave of silence hits them. But it isn't awkward, quite the contrary.

"How'd you convince them to let you major in dance?"

"I didn't," Minho laughs and Jisung takes a peek at his passenger to make sure he isn't going crazy. "I tried majoring in biology, even met a few nice friends for life. But once I secured a shared apartment with Hyunjin and moved, I dropped it."

"How'd they react?" Jisung won't lie, he's had the thought of dropping computer science before. But he only has a year or two left, so it isn't worth it now when he's come this far.

"My mom wasn't surprised, but my dad wasn't the happiest. He really gave me a lecture once I got home for christmas." Minho sighs at the memory. "But my big sister helped me deal with him, Hyunjin and his big sister as well. Almost the whole Hwang family."

"Damn, it must've been tough." Jisung isn't a professional at comforting people, especially when he's driving. But it's a talent he has to conquer at some point. Particularly since Changbin is a master at getting emotional when Jisung's driving.

"Somewhat. But everything is fine now. I work part time at JYPE as a choreographer, and my dad is beginning to come around."

"Lee Minho: A cat person and choreographer at JYPE?" Jisung smiles with a sharp breath, snapping his head to the side. "What a steal."

Minho laughs, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You're not too bad yourself, Han Jisung."

"It's truly an honour to be the driver for the Lee Minho," Jisung snickers, glancing at Minho, enjoying the view of his hyung becoming a blushing mess at each praise.

Though, Minho only groans in complaint. "Shut up," he says with another giggle.

"We've arrived at your kingdom, Lee Minho," Jisung declares with a posh accent. The little roleplay earns a slap to his arm from 'The Lee Minho' as he parks the car outside of the apartment complex.

Jisung laughs. "Okay, okay, I'll stop."

Minho gathers himself from the entertainment and unbuckles the seatbelt. "Bye bye, Jisungie," he says with that same, cute grin.

"Bye bye, Hyung," Jisung replies, smiling back at him. He watches as Minho exits the vehicle, opening up the backdoor and gets his bag.

Meeting Lee Minho might just be Jisung's favourite mistake.